Automobile-signal.



J. NICHOLSON.

AUTOMOBILE SIGNAL.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 14,1914

1,165,117. Patented Dec. 21, 1915.

2 SHEETSSHEET I.

W/Z/VESSES V I l/VVE/VTOI? Mew/5 '///c//0150/ 1/ JrQ-Lf K By A TTORNEYS I. NICHOLSON.

AUTOMOBILE SIGNAL.

APPLICATION FILED APR. I4, I914.

WITNESSES //V VE/I/ 70/? 4/7/ 155 Woe 516m; B y 741/14,

A TTOR/VEVS mud guards .3

JAMES NICHOLSON, OF. SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA.

AUTOMOBILE-SIGNAL.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 21, 1915.

- Application flled vApr-i114, 1914. Serial No. 831,753.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, JAMES NIcHoLsoN, a citizen of England, and a resident of Sacramento, in the county of Sacramento and State of California, have invented a new and useful Improvement in- Automobile- Signals, of which the following is a specificationQ My invention is an improvement-in automoblle signals, and has for its object to provide a signal for use with vehicles of the character specified arranged to be operated by the chaulfeur at will to indicate the intention to turn to one side or the other, and to indicate the direction in which it is intended to turn, wherein a plurality of signals is provided for each mud guard, capable of being moved into and out of operative position, and electrically controlled to be moved into operative position and to be held in such position, and wherein spring operated mechanism is provided for automatically releasing the signal after the lapse of a predetermined length of time.

In the drawings :-Figure 1 is a front view of an automobile provided with the improved signal, Fig. 2 is an enlarged section on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows and with the wiring shown diagrammatically, Fig. 3 is a section on the line 33 of Fig. 2, looking in the direction of the arrows, and showing the parts in one position, Fig. 4 is a similar view showing the parts in another position, and Fig. 5 is a front view of the spring operated mechanism for releasing the signal.

The present embodiment'of the invention is shown in connection with an automobile 1 of any desired type, the signal mechanism being contained in a box or casing 2, which is built into or arranged upon each of the of the vehicle; Each of the casings is provided with an opening in one face, and a plurality of sheets 4 of transparent material as for instance, glass, is arranged at the opening for closing the same as shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 4. It will be noted that the opening is divided by a vertical bar 5, into two portions, and a sheet 4 is arranged between each end of the casing and the bar. A plurality of signal mechanisms is arranged in each casing, the said signals being similar and similarly arranged and operated and released in precisely the samemanner.

The signal is in of the magnets, the

bottom thereof, to swing into a position be- :hind the sheet and approximately parallel therewith as shown in Fig. 2, or 1nto a horizontal position as shown inFig. 4. The upper or outer face of each of the plates6 is provided with a signal indication, as for instance, an arrow pointing and a legend as for instance, the legend Turn. The arrow points in the direction toward which it is intended to turn. It is obvious that any other data might be placed upon the plate if desired,-and the signals of each casing are oppositely arranged, preferably the arrow of each plate pointing toward the adjacent end of the casing.

A pair of magnets 8 is arranged adjacent to each signal, and a lever 9 is pivoted intermediate its ends as indicated at 10, adjacent to each pair of magnets. Each of the levers is beneath the end of the adjacent signal and that portion of each lever in front of the pivotal connection is curved and arranged with its concave face upwardly. The free forward end of the lever is in position to engage and lift thesignal into the position of Fig. 3, when the opposite end of the lever is depressed in a mannor to be described. An arm 11 is pivoted to the rear wall of the casing adjacent to each pair of magnets as indicated at 12, and the said arm extends forwardly above the cores of the magnets, and is provided in front of the magnets with a downwardly extending angular portion 13. At the cores arm 11 is widened as indicated at 14 to extend above the cores of both magnets, and the arm is the armature of the magnets. The lower end of the angular portion 13 normally engages the rear end of the adjacent lever 9 and the said rear end of the lever is provided with an angular lug or stop 15, behind the said angular portion. of the arm. The arrangement is such that when the magnets are energized to attract the armature the portion 13 of the arm will be moved downwardly to depress the rear end of lever 9 to swing the lever to cause it to lift the signal into the approximate vertical position of Fig. 3.

Each of the signals is held in lifted or operative position by 'means of a resilient latch plate 16. Each ofthe latch plates has one end secured to a frame to be presently the form of a frame or described as indicated at 17, and the other end of the latch plate is'provided with a catch 18, for engaging over the upper edge of the signal plate 6, to hold the plate in lifted, and the signal indications of each."

plate are preferably made by perforating the plate on' the lines that outline the. indi-' cations. The arrangement of the indications is such that when the signal is in the position of Fig. 3, the illumination withinthe casing will make the signal indications visible. .It is obvious that any desired ar rangement that would permit this function might be used. The wiring of the signals.

is shown in Fig. 2, for one casing, and it will be obvious that were four signal casings used, the arrangement would be the same,

the corresponding signal operating magnets of the casing being arranged in the same manner as for the two shown in Fig. 2, so that by operating a signal switchthe corresponding signals of all of the casings will be actuated. 4 i

As shown in Fig. 2, the magnets 8 of the signal atthe left 0 the casing are interposed in an electric circuit, consisting of the lead wires 20 and 21. A source of electrical energy as for instance, a battery 22, is interposed in the circuit, as is also a switch 23, of any desired character, as for instance, a pushv button'or the like.

The magnets of the signal at the right of the casing are interposed in a circuit con-' sisting of the lead wires 20 and 21, and a battery 22, and a switch 23 are interposed in the circuit. The switches 23 and 23 are normally opened and it will be obvious that when either switch is closed the magnets pertaining thereto will be energized to swing the portion 13 of the adjacent arm 11 downwardly to cause the said portion 13 to swing the lever 9in a direction to lift the si a1 into the position of Fig. 3, when it ifi'i eld by the catch 18 of the latch plate 16.

A spring motor is provided for releasing the latch plate16 to permit the signal to fall of its own weight into inoperatlve position. The said motor comprises front and rear cheek plates 24 and 24, connected together bybolts and nuts 25, and held in spaced relation by arbors 26 on the bolts. I

The inner end of each latch plate 16 is connected to a plate 27, which is secured to the arbors of the uppermost bolts 25 of the adjacent frame. A shaft 28 is journaled between the cheek plates and one end of the shaft extends outside of the casing 2, and is polygonal as shown at 29, to receive a key indicated at 30, in dotted lines, to turn the shaft to wind the spring 31, connected therewith. One end of the spring 31 is connected to the shaft and the other end is connected to the arbor 26 ofthe' adjacent bolt 25. A gear wheel 32 is secured to the shaft,

and the said wheel meshes with a pinion 33 on a second shaft '34, jo'urnaled between the cheek plates and extending beyond the rear cheek plate, as shown in Fi 3, for a urpose tobe presently describe The sha t 34 1s provided with a gear wheel 35, which meshes" with a pinion 36 on a third shaft 37. The shaft 37 is provided with a gear wheel 38, which meshes with a pinion 39 on a shaft 40, and the shaft 40 is provided with agear wheel 41, which meshes with apinion 42 on a fan ,or governor shaft 43.

The shaft 43 is provided with oppositely extending wings or vanes 44, constituting a fan or governor, for regulating the speed of the motor. A resilient arm 45 is secured to the bottom of the casing as indicated at 46, adjacent to each signal, and in position to be engaged by the signal, when the signal is in inoperative or horizontal position, to swing the upper end of the arm rearwardly. The upper end of each of the resilient arms is provided with an angular lug 47, and the said lug is so arranged that when the signal plate strikes the arm 45, the lug 47 of the arm-will be moved into the path of movement of the wings or vanes 44, and will engage one of the said wings or vanes to check the movement of the governor shaft 43 and to stop the operation of the motor. When the signal is swung upwardly as indicated in 1 Fig. 3, the resilience of the arm will move it forwardly to disengage the lug from the governor shaft. A cam 48 is secured to the ront end of the" shaft 34,- and the cam is .adapted to engage a vertically movable rod 49, which is mounted in bearing arms 50, extending forwardly from the front cheek plate 24; The rod 49 has its lower end in contact with the cam, while the upper end is provided with a head 51, which engages the adjacent latch plate 16. It will be obvious that when the high part'of the cam engages the lower end of the rod, the rod will be moved upwardly and the head by its engagement with the latch plate will lift the same to release the'catch 18 from the adjacent signal to-permit the said signal to drop into inoperative or horizontal position.

. The operation of the device, as a whole, is as follows:-When the chauffeur desires to turn in either direction, he will close the switch of the signals at that side of the ve: hicle. As for instance, supposing that the driver intends to turn to the left of Fig. 1,.

end of the casing. The plates are light in weight, and when lifted the engagement of the catch 18 of the adjacent latch hold the signal in operative position. The lifting of the signal plate will release the adjacent arm 45, and of its own resiliency the said arm will swing out as indicated in connection with theremote signal of Fig. 3. The forward movement of the arm will withdraw the lug 47 thereof from its engagement with the governor and the spring will begin to drive the train of gears, thus rotating the shaft 34, while the governor makes the movement of the train of gears uniform. As the cam rotates the rod 49 will be lifted and the latch plate will be lifted to release the.signal, which of its own weight will fall into the inoperative position, as shown in Fig. l. It is obvious that the arrangement may be such that,the signals will be" released at any desired time, as for instance, five seconds, ten seconds, or the like. As soon as leased, it will fall into the position of Figs. 3 and 4, swinging the resilient arm rearwardly into engagement with the fan or governor, thus immediately checking the movement of the motor. signals are in inoperative position, the m0 tors pertaining thereto are motionless, and the lifting of thesignals to operative position starts the motor belonging thereto.

Preferably the signal casing 2 is shaped to fit the mud guard, as indicated in Fig. 1,and the signals may be arranged at the rear of the vehicle as well as the front or they may be used at either end and omitted at the other;

The only attention required on the part of the chauffeur is the initial closing of-the switch. After the switch has been'closed, the remainder of the operation is automatic. When the signals are at the front end of the vehicle, the drivers of approaching vehicles are warned at once as to the intention of the driver of the first vehicle. When arranged at the rear of the vehicle, drivers of following vehicles 'will be likewise warned. Preferably the signals are in the form of frames, each having a plate, every part of which is covered with a material of opaque character, except the indications. Preferably the illuminating means for the signals is so arranged that the movement of the signal into and out of operative position will close an open circuit in which the-illuminating means is interposed to control the said means. 'When the signal moves'into operative position, it operates the switch to close the circuit'while when it moves into inoperative position, it actuates the switch to open the circuit.

I claim 1. A device of the character specified,

comprising a signal casing adapted to: fit

plate .will

the signal is re- As soon as the.

pending portion engaging the lever, a pair of 'wall, each opening being covered by a sheet of transparent material, a signal at each opening and hinged to the casing at the bottom of the opening into a position approximately parallel with the sheet or into approximately horizontal position, a lever pivoted to the casing adjacent to each signal and having one end in position to engage the signal and move it into approximately vertical position when the other end of the lever is depressed, an arm hinged to the rear wall of the casing and having a depending portion engaging the rear end of the lever, a pair of magnets arranged beneath each arm near the front end thereof, the armature of the magnets being connected with the arm, an open electrical circuit for each signal in which the magnets adjacent to the signal are interposed, means for closing the circuit, a resilient latch plate supported adjacent to each signal and having a catch for engaging the signal to hold it in operative position, a spring opera-ted motor for each signal, a governor for controlling each motor, a vertically movable rod adjacent toeach latch plate and having its upper end engaging the plateto move the plate when the rod is lifted, a cam shaft driven by the motor, a cam on the shaft with which the lower end of the rod contacts for operating the rod, and means operated by the return of each signal to inoperative position for stopping the motor, said means comprising a resilient arm secured to the bottom of the casing adjacent to the signal and adapted to be engaged by the signal as it moves to inoperative position to move theafii'n toward the motor, each arm having a stop for engaging the governor to check-the motor.-

2. A device ofv the character specified, comprising a signal casing adapted to fit upon the mud guard of. a motor vehicle,

for swinging movement and having a,v plurality of openings in its .movement into a position approximately parallel with the sheet or into approximately horizontal position, a lever pivoted to the casing adjacent to each signal and having one end in position to engage the signal and move it into approximately vertical position when the other end of the lever is depressed, an arm hinged to the rear wall of the. casing and having a dethe rear end of neath each arm near the front end thereof, the armature of the magnets being connected with the arm, an open electrical circuit for each signal in which the magnets adjacent magnets arranged be-.

engaging the plate to move the plate when the rod is lifted, a cam shaft driven by the motor, a cam on the shaft in which the lower end of the rod contacts for operating the rod, and means operated by the return of each signal to inoperative position for stopping the motor.

3. A device of the character specified, comprising a signal casing adapted to fit upon the mud guard of a motor vehicle, and having a plurality of openings in its front wall, each opening being covered by a sheet of transparent material, a signal at each opening and hinged to the casing at the bottom of the opening forswinging movement into a position approximately parallel with the sheet or into approximately horizontal po-' sition, a lever pivoted to the casing adjacent to each signal and having one end in position to engage the signal and move it into approximately vertical'position when the other end of the lever is depressed, an arm hinged to the rear wall ofthe casing and having a I depending portion engaging the rear end of a catch for engaging the signal to hold itthe lever,'a pair of magnets arranged beneath each arm near the front end thereof,

the armature of the magnets being connect-' ed with the arm, an open electrical circuit for each signal in which themagnets adjacent to the'signal are interposed, means for closing the circuit, a resilient latch plate supported adjacent to each s1gna1 and having in operative position, a. spring motor for each signal, a cam driven by each motor, a guided rod arranged between each cam and the adj acent resilient arm for lifting the arm when the cam is rotated, and means operated by the return of the signal to inoperative position for checking the motor.

4. A device of the character specified, comprising a signal casing adapted to fit upon the mud guard of a motor vehicle, and having a plurality of openings in its front wall, each opening being covered by a sheet of transparent material, a signal at each opening and hinged to thecasing at the bottom of the opening for swinging movement Into a position approximately parallel with the sheet or into approximately horizontal po- "wall, a si the lever, a pair of magnets arranged beneath each arm near the front end thereof, the armature of the magnets being connected with the arm, an open electrical circuit for each signal in which the magnets adjacent to the signal are interposed, means for closing the circuit, a resilient latch plate sup ported adjacent to each signal and having a .catch for engaging the signal to hold it in wall, a. signal hinged to the casing adjacent to the opening for swinging movement into operative or approximately vertical position or into inoperative or approximately horizontal position, means for swinging the signal into vertical position, a magnet for operating the said "swinging means, .an open electrical circuit in which the magnet is interposed, means for closing the circuit at will, a resilient latch plate for holding the signal in operative position, a spring oper-' ated motor in the casing, means operated by the movement of'the motor for releasing the latch plate, and means operated bythe movement of the signal into and out of inoperative position for checking and releasing the motor, said signal being translucent, a source of light within the casing, and means operated by the movement of the signal into andsource.

A device of the characterspecified, comprising a casing having a transparent front gnal hinged to the casing adjacent to the opening for swinging movement into operative or approximately vertical position or into inoperative or approximately horizontal position, means for swinging the signal into vertical position, a magnet for operating the said swinging means, an open electricalcir- -cuit in Y which the magnet is interposed, means for closing the circuit at will, a resilient latch plate for holding the signal in operative position, a spring operated motor in the casing, means operated by the movement ofthe motor for releasing the latch plate,

- means operated by the movement of the signal into and out of the inoperative position for checking and releasing the motor, said signal being translucent, and means within the casing for illuminating the same.

7. Atdevice of the. character specified,

comprisin a casing havin a transparent front wal, asignal hinged to the casing adjacent to the opening for swinging movement'into operative or approximately vertical position or into inoperative or approxiend of the casing. The plates are light in weight, and when lifted the engagement of the catch 18 of the adjacent latch plate ,will' hold the signal in operative position. The lifting of the signal plate will release the adjacent arm 45, and of its own resiliency the said arm will swing out as indicated. in connection with the remote signal of Fig. 3. The forward movement of the arm will withdraw the lug 47 thereof from its engagement with the governor and the spring will begin to drive the train of gears, thus rotating the shaft 34, while the governor makes the movement of the train of gears uniform. As the cam rotates the rod 49 will be lifted and the latch plate will be lifted to release thesignal, which of its own weight willv fall into the inoperative position, as shown in Fig. 4. It is obvious that the arrangement may be such that,the signals will be released at any desired time, as for instance, five seconds, ten seconds, or the like. As soon as leased, it will fall into the position of Figs. 3 and 4, swinging the resilient arm rearwardly into engagement with the fan or governor, thus immediately checking the movement .of the motor. signals are in inoperative position, the mo tors pertaining thereto are motionless, and the lifting of the-signals to operative position starts the motor belonging thereto.

Preferably the signal casing 2 is shaped to fit the mud guard, as indicated in Fig. 1, and the signals may be arranged at the rear of the vehicle as well as the front or they may be used at either end and omitted at the other;

The only attention required on the part of the chauifeuris the initial closing of the switch. After the switch has been. closed, the remainder of the operation is automatic. When the signals are at the front end of the vehicle, the drivers of approaching vehicles are Warned at once as to the intention of the driver of the first vehicle. When arranged at the rear of the vehicle, drivers of following vehicles 'will be likewise. warned. Preferably the signals are in theform of frames, each having a plate, every part of which is covered with a material of opaque character, except the indications. -Preferably the illuminating means for the signals is so arranged that the movement of the signal into and out of operative position will close an open circuit in which the-illuminating means is interposed to control the said means. When the signal movesinto operative position, it operates the switch to'close the circuit'while when it moves into inoperative position, it actuates the switch to open the circuit.

I claim 2- 1. A device of comprising a signal casing adapted to. fit

'wall, each opening the signal is re- As soon as the.

the lever, a pair of the character specified,

" each signal in which upon the mud guard of a motor vehicle and having a plurality of openings in its front being covered by a sheet of transparent material, a signal at each opening and hinged to the casing at the bottom of the. opening for swinging movement into a position approximately the sheet or into approximately horizontal position, a lever pivoted to the casing adjacent to each signal and having one end in position to engage the signal and move it into approximately vertical position when the other end of the lever is depressed, an arm hinged to the rear wall of the casing and having a depending portion engaging the rear end of the lever, a pair of magnets arranged beneath each arm near the front end thereof, the armature of the magnets being connected with the arm, an open electrical circuit for each signal in which the magnets adjacent to the signal are interposed, means for closing the circuit, a resilient latch plate supported adjacent to each signal and having a catch for engaging the signal to hold it in operative position, a spring opera-ted motor for each signal, a governor for controlling each motor, a vertically movable rod adjacent toeach latch plate and having its upper end engaging the plateto move the plate when the rod is lifted, a cam shaft driven by the motor, a cam on the shaft with which the lower end of the rod contacts for operating the rod, and means operated by the return of each signal to inoperative position for stopping the motor, said means comprising a resilient arm secured to the bottom of the casing adjacent to the signal and adapted to be engaged by the signal as it moves to inoperative position to move thea'fm toward the motor, each arm having a stop for engaging the governor to check-the motor.

2. A device of the character specified, comprising a signal casing adapted to fit upon the mud guard of. a motor vehicle, and having a plurality of openings'in its front wall, each opening bein covered by a sheet of transparent materia a signal at each opening and hinged to the casing at the bottom of the opening for swinging vmovement into a position approximately parallel with the sheet OI"1I1t0 approximately horizontal position, a lever pivoted to the casing adjacent to each signal and having one end in position to engage the signal and move it into approximately vertical position when the other end of the lever is depressed, an arm hinged to the rear wall of the casing and having a depending portion engaging the rear end of neath each arm near the front end thereof, the armature of the magnets being connected with the arm, an open electrical circuit for the magnets adjacent magnets arranged be-.

parallel with to the signal are interposed, means for closing the circuit, a resilient latch plate supported adjacent to each signal and havinga catch for engaging the signal to hold it 1n operative position, a spring operatedmotor for each slgnal, a governor for controlling each motor, a vertically movable rod adjacent to each latch plate and having its upper end engaging the plate to move'the plate when the rod is lifted, a cam shaft driven by the motor, acam on the shaft in which the lower end of the rod contacts for operating the rod, and means operated by the return of each signal to. inoperative posltion for stopping the motor.

3. A device of the character specified, com- I prising a signal casing adapted to fit upon the mud guard of a motor vehicle, andhaving a plurality of openings in its front wall, each opening being covered by a sheet of transparent material, a signal at each opening and hinged to the casing at the bottom of the opening forswinging movement into a position approximately parallel with the sheet orvinto approximately horizontal po sition, a lever pivoted to the casing adjacent to each signal and having one end in position to engage the signal and move it into approximately vertical'position when the other end of the lever is depressed, an 'arm hinged to the rear wall of the, casing and having a depending portion engaging the rear end of the lever, a pair of magnets arranged beneath each arm near the front end thereof,

the armature of the magnets being connect-' ed with the arm, 'an open electrical circuit for each signal in which themagnets adjacent to the signal are interposed, means for closing the circuit, a resilient latch plate supported adjacent to each signal and having a catch for engaging the signal to hold itin operative position, a spring motor for each signal, a cam driven by each motor, a guided rod arranged between each cam and the adjacent resilient arm for lifting the arm when the cam is rotated, and means operated by the return of the signal to inoperative position for checking the motor.

4. "A device of the character specified, comprising a signal casing adapted to fit upon the mud guard of a motor vehicle, and having a plurality of openings in its front wall, each opening being covered by a sheet of transparent material, a signal at each opening and hinged to the casing at the bottom of the opening for swinging movement into a position approximately parallel with the sheet or into approximately horizontal position. a. lever pivoted'to the casing adjacent to each signal and having one end in position to engage the signal and move it into approximately vertical position when the other end of the lever is depressed, an arm hinged to the rear wall of the casing and having-a depending portion engaging the rear end of front wal, asignal hinge .ported adjacent to each signal and having a .catch for engaging the signal to hold it in operative position, .a spring motor within the casing for each signal, means operated by the movement of the motor for releasing the adjacent latch plate, and means operated by the movement of the signal into and out of inoperative position for stopping and releasing the motor.

5. A device of the character specified, comprising a casing having a transparent front wall, a. signal hinged to the casing adjacent to the opening for swinging movement into operative or approximately vertical position. or into inoperative or approximately horizontal position, means for swinging the signal in'to vertical position, a magnet for operating the said -swinging means an open electrical circuit in which the magnet is interposed, means for closing the circuit at will, a resilient latch plate for holding the signal in operative position, a spring oper ated motor in the casing, means operated by the movement of'the motor for releasing the latch plate, and means operated by the movement of the signal into and out of inoperative position for checking and releasing the motor, said signal being translucent, a source of light within the casing, and means operated by the movement of the signal into andout of operative position'for controlling the source.

A device of the character specified, comprlsing a caslng having a transparent front 'wall, a signal hinged to the casing adjacent to the opening for swinging movement into op erative or approximately vertical position or into inoperative or approximately horizontal position, means for swinging the signal into vertical position, a magnet for operating the said swinging means, an open electricalcircuit in which the magnet is interposed, means for closing the circuit at will, a resilient latch plate for holding the signal in operative .position, a spring operated motor in the casing, means operated by'the movement of the motor for releasing the latch plate,

- means operated by the movement of the signal into and out of the inoperative position for checking and releasing the motor, said signal being translucent, and means within the casing for illuminating the same.

7. A device of the character specified, comprisin a casing having a transparent to the casing adjacent to the opening for swinging movement into operative or approximately vertical position or into inoperative or approximately horizontal position, means for swinging the signal into vertical position, a'magnet for operating the said swinging means, an open electrical circuit in which the magnet is interposed, cuit at will, a resilient latch plate for holding the signal in operative position, a spring operated motor in the casing, means operated bythe movement of the motor for releasing the latch plate, and means operated by the movement of the signal into and out of inoperative position for checking and releasing the motor,

8. device of the character specified, comprising a casing having an opening in its front Wall, a" signal hinged to the casing at the bottom of the opening and mounted to swing into approximately vertical or operative position or into approximately horizontal or inoperative position, means oper-' able from the distance for swinging thesignal into operative position, a resilient latch plate for, holding the signal in operative position, a guided rod engaging the latch plate for releasing the same when the rod is moved vertically upward, a spring operated motor having means for engaging and moving the rod, and means operated by the movement of the signal into operative and inoperative position for starting and checking the movement of the motor.

9. A device of the character specified,

comprising a casing having an opening in its front wall, a signal hinged to the casing at bottom of the opening and mountedto swing into approximately vertical or operative position or into approximately horizontal or inoperative position, means operable from a distance for swinging the signal mto pperativeposltion, releasable means for holdm the signal in operative position, a

.l active sp I motor for releasing means for closing the cirthe holding means, and means operated by the movement of the signal into and out of inoperative position for stopping and releasing the motor.

10. 'A device of the character specified,

comprising a signal hinged at its bottom to swing into operative or approximately vertical position, or into inoperative or approximately horizontal position, releasable means for holding the signal in operative position, a normally operative sprin motor for releasing the holding means, an means operated by the movement of the signal into and. out of inoperative position for stopping and releasing the motor.

11. A device of the character specified, comprising a signal mounted to swing into and out of operative position, electrically controlled means for swinging the signal into operative position, releasable means for holding the signal in operative position, normally active means for releasing the holding means after a predetermined interval to permit the signal to return to inoperative position, and means controlled by the movement of the signal into and out of inoperative position for controlling ing means.

12. A device of the character specified, comprising a and out of operative position, means for swinging theisignal into operative position, releasable means for holdlng the signal in operative position, normally active means for releasing the holding means, and means operated by .the movement of the signal into and out-of operative position for controlling the said releasing means.

JAMES NICHOLSON.

Witnesses:

- L. H. KozMmsKY,

Gno. R. MAGENNIB.

the said releassignal mounted to swing into 

